President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Monday called on Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers state, political leaders and their supporters in the State to exercise restraint and uphold the rule of law.

In addition, President Tinubu directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately in the embattled state.

On Monday, hoodlums set two council secretariats ablaze in Rivers state few hours after the police announced the unsealing of the secretariats of the 23 local government areas of the state.

Ms. Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson in Rivers, who announced the unsealing of the secretariats, said that police operatives would be redeployed to them if there was another crisis or breakdown of law and order.

The local government council secretariats in Ikwerre and Eleme in Rivers State were set ablaze by hoodlums few hours after the police announced the unsealing of the secretariats of the 23 local government areas of the state.

The attacks on the secretariats of the two local government areas occurred almost simultaneously and appeared to be related to the just-concluded local elections, which placed Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State in a vantage position politically over his predecessor and current Minister of the FCT, Mr. Nyesom Wike,Esq.

But in response to recent tension following last Saturday’s local government council election, the President in a statement issued by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser (Information & Strategy) expressed deep concern over reports of arson and explosions in the state.

The President urged all political actors to de-escalate the situation and discourage their supporters from engaging in violence or destructive actions. He directed the police to restore and maintain peace, law, and order immediately.

While instructing law enforcement agencies to bring the situation under control, he emphasised the need to ensure the security of public institutions. According to him, government facilities built with public funds must be safeguarded from vandalism stressing that self-help has no place in a democratic system, especially after 25 years of continuous democracy.

He said the judiciary can settle all political disputes, and the outcome of this election should be no exception.

The Action Peoples Party (APP) won 22 chairmanship positions out of 23 in the Rivers State local government election.

IGP Orders Immediate Unsealing of All LG Secretariats in Rivers State

In response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections, the Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the State and the country in general, as the NPF only acted in line with an existing court judgment of the Federal High Court.

Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.

Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counter order on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit.

And thirdly, the Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on 30th September, 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordered the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.

All these orders and counter orders were served on the Police. The IGP being a thoroughbred committed to operating within the legal framework forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice. For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).

Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court, and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated 2nd October, 2024, where the IGP advised the Governor to also abide by the Court ruling in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State.

The misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact was uncalled for, and unfair to the Law Enforcement Institutions in Nigeria, most especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector-General of Police. For the avoidance of doubts, the general public is free to profile the career journey of the Inspector-General of Police, and his track record in every place he has served, which undoubtedly shows him as a man of honor, integrity, and focus before and after he assumes office as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police of Nigeria.

The IGP is very well respected in the Association of Chiefs of Police, worldwide, particularly in Africa where he’s currently serving as the Chairman of the West African Police Chiefs Committee (WAPCCO) and providing meritorious leadership within the West African Chiefs of Police. We have seen Chiefs of Police from across the world coming to attend his events in Nigeria and extending several invitations to him. For the first time, the president of Interpol was at the opening ceremony of the Nigeria Police Conference and retreat in Owerri, last year under this IGP. Let us please observe some decorum in our politics in Nigeria.

It is also instructive to note that the NPF does not intend to engage in any form of media tussle or war with the person of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, his administration, or his political affiliations but will continue to play its role as a neutral body in all forms of political activities undistracted. Similarly, suffice it to say that the Local Government elections were generally peaceful nationwide, especially in states where the Police were in charge of security.

In the same vein, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, directed the immediate unsealing of all Local Government Council Secretariats in Rivers State which were previously sealed when violence erupted in the state over who controlled the local government secretariat between elected chairmen whose tenure expired and caretaker committee inaugurated by the state government which matter was pending in court. The unsealing was yesterday 06/10/24 after the police received the report that elected chairmen had been sworn in by the state government. The decision to unseal the Local Government Secretariats was informed by the need to maintain neutrality in the political development of the state and allow the smooth functioning of democratic institutions in the state.

The IGP however condemns the spate of violent confrontations and attacks at some local government secretariats leading to the destruction of government facilities in the state, immediately after the unsealing of the secretariats. He has promptly tasked the state Commissioner of police to rise to the occasion
and restore law and order in the state

The IGP emphasizes the Force’s commitment to maintaining law and order, upholding democratic principles, and fostering peace, unity, and progress across the nation.

ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI,
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
FOR: THE INSPECTOR-GENERAL OF POLICE,
FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
ABUJA.